Dairy farmers must step up to reduce pollution

New Zealand’s clean green image is being tarnished says Local Government New Zealand after statistics revealed an increase in significant non-compliance by dairy farmers.

These comments follow the release of The Dairying and Clean Streams Accord Snapshot of Progress report for 2008/09.

Figures show significant non-compliance to regional council dairy effluent rules went from 12 percent in 2007/08 to 15 percent in 2008/09.

LGNZ environment spokesperson Stephen Cairns says it’s a case of two steps forward, three steps back for the dairying industry.

“It’s not fair that complying farmers will be tarred with the same brush as non-compliers.

“In the 2008/09 season several regional councils offered practical workshops on how farmers can manage effluent, additional inspections and extra support."

Greater Wellington introduced intensive monitoring of dairying consents, early farm inspections, and a dairy effluent workshop for consent holders along with DairyNZ.

These initiatives helped Wellington to show the biggest improvement with full compliance increasing from 53 percent of farms in 2007/08 to 72 percent in 2008/09 and a big reduction in significant non-compliance from 28 percent down to 4 percent.

“While regional councils have programmes to educate farmers on ways to reduce pollution to New Zealand’s waterways, the onus must be on dairy farmers to be more accountable.

“Self management is more effective in achieving environmental benefits than relying solely on rules imposed by regulatory agencies.

“We’re disappointed to see that there’s been a four percent drop in full compliance by farmers from 64% in the 2007/08 season to 60% this season.

“Until New Zealand’s farmers achieve full compliance as a matter of course, regional councils will continue to work with Accord partners to ensure farmers know what’s expected.

"As a signatory to the Accord, Local Government New Zealand supports Fonterra’s efforts to ensure its supplying farms comply with the targets,” said Mr Cairns.

ENDS

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